Worcester Housing Authority sees 'remarkable' drop in crime

Crime statistics released by the Worcester Housing Authority for the Great Brook Valley and Curtis Apartments properties show a significant decrease in several categories.

Statistics comparing 2011 to 2012 in the 15 largest WHA communities also show decreases of 4 to 20 percent in several crime categories.

“More than anything else, we do this for our residents,” said WHA Executive Director Raymond V. Mariano. “The residents are very appreciative. We hope the numbers continue to go down. Our objective is zero.”

There were 147 arrests in 2011 compared to 88 in 2012. Vice crimes decreased 16 to nine, and motor vehicle crimes went from eight to two.

“I knew that we were continuing to make progress, but these numbers really are remarkable,” Mr. Mariano said.

These neighborhoods should be safe for residents and their children, he said.

Mr. Mariano said he wants parents to feel safe having their children go outside and play, just like other neighborhoods in the city or state.

The WHA also reviewed what the crime stats looked like in 2005 for Great Brook Valley and Curtis Apartments. Arrests decreased by 61.6 percent, comparing 2005 and 2012. Also, vice crimes went from 39 in 2005 to nine in 2012. That equates to a 76.9 percent decrease.

Other categories decreased 33 to 50 percent. Motor vehicle thefts went from 28 in 2005 to 2 in 2012, an almost 93 percent decrease.

Mr. Mariano knows the stigma attached to certain WHA properties such as Great Brook Valley. The notion of that area being a drug haven is an outdated view from the 1980s and 1990s, he said.

The WHA also took a look at crime statistics for its15 largest properties, not including Great Brook Valley and Curtis Apartments. The comparison was of the 2011 and 2012 statistics. Arrests decreased by 18.3 percent; vice crimes and motor vehicle theft by 14.3 percent; motor vehicle citations and warrant arrests by 22.2 percent and public disorder by 4.5 percent.

This is a big difference from what Mr. Mariano saw 10 years ago when he became executive director.

“When I came in we would go out late at night with eight to 10 police officers and they would have to stop because the police would make a number of arrests and we would run out of officers,” he said. “Now we go out and we find nothing. There is certainly crime on our properties, but it has significantly reduced.”

Mr. Mariano said a comprehensive strategy was created to drive down these numbers and improve quality of life at the properties.

“Worcester police have done a speculator job. It would be hard for them to imagine being more cooperative than they are now,” Mr. Mariano said. “Regardless of the criminal activity, they respond. It makes a difference. We can have all the cameras we want, but if we don't have an engaged police department we are just taking pictures of residents and properties.”

Mr. Mariano believes there is a correlation between police presence and unauthorized occupants. Ten years ago “outsiders” thought they could come in and do what they wanted at the properties, but that is not the case now, he said.

When there is a crime on a WHA property, department heads track the case. Regular crime reports are sent to Mr. Mariano. The WHA lawyer looks at cases, and staff keeps track of the situation.